The reappearance of Group 1 winners Russian Emperor, Panfield and Waikuku in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (16 October) serves as a timely reminder that LONGINES Hong Kong Raceday (LONGINES HKIR) is now only eight weeks away.
The clash between the established guard and rising star California Spangle shapes as a wonderful highlight and a potential preview of what might unfold in December when Hong Kong stages the LONGINES International Jockey’s Challenge and LONGINES HKIR with record prizemoney of HK110 million across the four G1 races – the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
International racing dominated the sporting Australian landscape this afternoon with an unforgettable running of The Everest (1200m) at Randwick where Giga Kick, who is still actually only a two-year-old, completed an incredible rise to fame by landing the world’s richest turf race – only eight months after winning a Maiden at Sale Racecourse in Victoria.
Downing older rivals including King’s Stand Stakes winner Nature Strip, the world’s highest-ranked sprinter in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Giga Kick remains unbeaten after five starts for trainer Clayton Douglas and his latest victory provided jockey Craig Williams with another massive career achievement.
In Melbourne, Durston completed a fairytale G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) victory for trainer Chris Waller and Michael Dee. Initially the first emergency for the race, Durston was promoted into the Cup with the scratching because of the heavy track of fellow import Maximal and was given a perfect ride by Michael to continue Chris’ amazing streak of G1 results.
Given his current dominating form, with 23 wins from 88 rides, Zac Purton will be keenly sought by several different trainers to ride their horses at LONGINES HKIR and part of Zac’s success this season is due to the CUHK Medical Centre and its Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre facilities.
Zac and many other jockeys, including our apprentices, have had the benefit of the expertise provided by world-class CUHK professionals such as Professor Patrick Yung (Clinical Director of Orthopaedics & Traumatology) and Professor Herman Lau (Director of Allied Health Services).
CUHK has also helped champion Hong Kong athletes from other disciplines, including fencers Edgar Cheung and Vivian Kong, cyclist Sarah Lee and gymnast Shek Wai-Hung. Personally, I have recently experienced how good their treatment after suffering an Achilles injury.
At Sha Tin on Sunday, the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy over 1600m is carded as race eight and represents a brilliant edition of the Group 2 feature, serving also as an exciting entree to the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on 20 November when Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior will likely join the fray setting up one of the most anticipated contests in recent history.
All the talk has been about Tony Cruz’s emerging star California Spangle since delivering a breathtaking performance to win the G3 Celebration Cup at his seasonal reappearance on 25 September.
Despite drawing out in gate 12 on Sunday, with his natural speed there is no doubt Zac Purton will go forward and set a steady, rather than scorching pace with his stablemate Ka Ying Star likely to sit behind him from his rails draw.
Zac is certain to steal a break on California Spangle at some point in the home straight and attempt to see off the challenges of his high-class rivals and is a win and place chance in the race.
Ka Ying Star should get a perfect run behind his stablemate but the biggest danger to California Spangle may be the third runner for Tony Cruz in Beauty Joy who looks to extend his three-race winning streak. Luke Currie takes over as his rider and from the outside gate will probably sit back in the field as he did when circling his eight rivals to win running away in the G3 Premier Cup at his last run. Beauty Joy could not have been more impressive and while his task will be harder this time in a bigger field, with luck in running is a place chance.
Russian Emperor starts his campaign towards the Vase on HKIR Day when he makes his seasonal debut for trainer Douglas Whyte who has been riding him in recent track gallops and Douglas been pleased with his progress heading to Sunday’s contest. Lyle Hewitson has his first race ride on the last start G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup winner who will no doubt take significant improvement from this run.
Like More Than This, Russian Emperor may not be fully fit based on an increase in body weight, while Excellent Proposal is a place chance for Vagner Borges after a satisfactory recent barrier trial. This race will be the biggest challenge of Turin Redsun’s short career in Hong Kong but his last two runs have marked him as a star on the rise and with Matthew Chadwick taking his first ride and at the bottom of the handicap is a place chance in a race of many chances.
Comment
